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Collection of Books, Brochures, Magazines and other Materials issued by Institutions of Ethnic Chinese in South East Asia and other Parts of the World

This collection comprises several hundreds of books, brochures, magazines, bulletins and folders from organisations and institutions of ethnic Chinese in South East Asia and other parts of the world. These publications were compiled and edited by members of those organisations and institutions; most of them do not carry an International Standard Book Number (ISBM), which means that they cannot be bought at or ordered through book shops ¹. During my annual journeys to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Laos since 1999, I called at the respective associations, schools, chambers of commerce and other institutions, where in most cases I was received with exquisite friendliness and generosity. (Of course my knowledge of the Chinese language was a great help in creating contacts with the responsible persons at the various institutions.)

The following kinds of organisations and institutions were visited by me:

1) Associations based on the members‘ place of origin in China and / or the respective dialect group (同乡会 tongxianghui； 会馆 huiguan) ². Among them are:

a) General associations of ethnic Chinese, irrespective from their dialect group or place of origin in China. In Malaysia, these associations are known as 中华大会堂 Zhonghua Dahuitang / Chinese Assembly Hall; the most famous among them might be the Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (Dewan Perhimpunan China Kuala Lumpur & Selangor, 吉隆坡暨雪兰莪中华大会堂 / Jilongpo ji Xuelan‘e Zhonghua Dahuitang) at No. 1, Jalan Maharajalela, Kuala Lumpur.

http://klscah.org.my/

The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (马来西亚中华大会堂总会 Malaixiya Zhonghua Dahuitang Zonghui / 华总 Huazong), which was founded in 1991 and whose headquarter is in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, serves as the umbrella organisation for thirteen General Chinese Associations / Chinese Assembly Halls all over Malaysia.

http://huazong.my/

b) Associations of particular dialect groups, for example:

- Cantonese (广东 Guangdong， 广肇 Guang Zhao， 广肇慧 Guang Zhao Hui， 广慧肇 Guang Hui Zhao).

- Teochiu / Teochew (潮州 Chaozhou) . The members of these associations have their roots in the „Eight Districts“ (八邑 bayi; dialect pronunciation: Poit Ip) in the eastern part of Guangdong Province, where the Teochiu dialect is spoken.

- Hainanese (海南 Hainan, 琼州 Qiongzhou). These associations incorporate members who have their origins on the island of Hainan (formerly a part of Guangdong province; since 1988 a province of its own).

- Hokkien / Hokkian (福建 Fujian). This term denotes people from the southern part of Fujian province speaking a certain variant of 闽南话 minnanhua (literally: Southern Fujian language - 闽 min is a short name for Fujian province).

- Foochow (福州 Fuzhou). These associations comprise persons who originate from the north-eastern part of Fujian province (Fuzhou City and surrounding counties).

- Hakka / Khek (客家 Kejia, 客属 Keshu). Literally: guest (families). Descendants of people from the northern parts of China who in the course of more than two millennia migrated southwards and settled down mainly in China‘s southern provinces, including the islands of Taiwan and Hainan.

c) Associations of persons who originate from a particular district / county in China. In most cases, the members of these associations belong to a definite dialect group. For example, the Chayang (Dapu) associations / 茶阳 (大埔) 会馆 Chayang (Dapu) huiguan / in Singapore, Bangkok and several places in West and East Malaysia comprise Hakka people who have their roots in Dapu district (North East Guangdong).

2) Associations of persons with the same surname or persons who claim a common primogenitor (宗亲会 zongqinhui = lineage associations). - The term „clan associations“ would likewise be appropriate; however, this term is often used in a way that includes dialect group associations and tongxianghui as well.

3) Political parties. More concretely: MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association; 马来西亚华人公会 Malaixiya Huaren Gonghui; short: 马华公会 Mahua Gonghui) and SUPP (Sarawak United Peoples‘ Party; 砂拉越人民联合党 Shalayue Renmin Lianhe Dang). Although the latter party is not an exclusive Chinese institution, yet it is dominated by ethnic Chinese.

4) Chambers of Commerce; professional organisations

5) Schools, alumni associations

6) Cultural and sport associations

7) Newspapers. - This item comprises information material on several South East Asian Chinese-language newspapers as well as brochures issued by various Bangkok-based papers on special occasions (King‘s birthday, anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the People‘s Republic of China...)

8) Temples, welfare institutions, Benevolence Halls

9) Hospitals, medical institutions

The major part of the collected materials consists of 纪念特刊 jinian tekan. My translation of this term is „commemorative publication“. It refers to books (mostly 190 x 270 mm – sometimes larger, rarely smaller - , hardcover or paperback, from less than a hundred up to more than five hundred pages strong). „Commemorative“ means that the book was published on the occasion of a special event (for example: the founding anniversary of the respective association or one of its sections, the opening of a new association building…). In some cases one book covers several festive occasions.

While many of the jinian tekan which were published before 1990 did not carry any illustrations on their front or back cover, the publications that appeared during the last decade of the past century and the first two decades of the new millennium catch the viewer‘s eye with colourful, often artistically designed covers.

Most of the jinian tekan from Malaysia and Thailand dedicate their first pages to the ruling personalities of the state where the respective association is located. In Malaysia these are the monarch and head of state („Yang di-Pertuan Agong“) and his wife as well as the Prime Minister; associations which cover only a certain federal state (for example Johor) or a certain town or district may carry pictures of the sultan and the sultanah of that state. Sometimes an extra page is reserved for the state symbols of Malaysia and / or the respective federal state (flag, coat of arms, hymn). Jinian tekan published in Thailand usually devote one or two pages to the King and the Queen. It goes without saying that this is meant to manifest the loyalty of the members of the respective association towards the country they are living in and whose citizens they are.

The following pages are usually filled with congratulatory letters from high-ranking state dignitaries (sometimes even the Prime Minister) as well as calligraphed congratulations by the heads of other Chinese associations in the same town, by the chairmen of related associations from other places in the same country or even abroad, as well as from leading personalities of the association‘s „home district“ in the People‘s Republic of China. Jinian tekan issued by influential associations often carry a message of felicitation from the ambassador of the People‘s Republic of China in the respective country.

Photographs of the association‘s chairman and other members with responsible functions fill the next pages. The more important the functionary, the bigger the portrait: a chairman or other top personality may fill a whole page, while other, less distinguished members share the page with a dozen or more colleagues. Often we find historical photographs (of course black and white) of past chairmen or group pictures of leading members in front of the former association building.

More recent group photographs can be admired throughout many jinian tekan. Other pictures show the association‘s chairman at a reception or other festivity, shaking hands or exchanging gifts with distinguished guests. Very popular and numerous are photographs showing men and women at the dinner table enjoying delicious foods and drinks.

The main part of jinian tekan consists of articles concerning the association itself: historical abstract, activities during the last years, Rules and Regulations (章程 zhangcheng – usually in Chinese and English), sometimes a list of the responsible members (in some cases even of all members) with their addresses and telephone numbers, the „fragrant names“ (芳名 fangming) of persons who have rendered financial contributions to the association, for example to the construction of a new building…

Furthermore we may find articles introducing the association‘s home province or district in China, often written by association members who took a trip to the place their ancestors once came from. Some jinian tekan contain biographies of distinguished personalities from the respective province or district as well as descriptions plus photographs of ancient buildings or beautiful sceneries in that part of Southern China. A number of jinian tekan even provide the reader with informations about customs and traditions, linguistic peculiarities (proverbs and expressions in the local dialect) as well as culinary delights of their forefathers‘ home place.

The last pages of the jinian tekan are usually taken by advertisements. Some of the businesspeople who boost their goods and services on these pages are members of the association. It is last but not least due to these advertisements – as well as to the voluntary work of quite a few members – that the books can be distributed free of charge. (Many jinian tekan carry a special notification: 非卖品 feimaipin = Not for sale).

Several organisations and institutions publish special brochures and / or books (mostly paperback / pocket book size: 150 x 210 mm), many of which carry an ISBN number and can be ordered via bookstores. The contents of these books and brochures are among others:

• History of Chinese migration to South East Asia - Examples:
  • Huang Mengli 黄孟礼 : Pioneer Trail of Foochow
    • Published by: Sibu Foochow Association, 2005
    • ISBN 983-42523-0-7
  • Shih Toong Siong: The Foochows of Sitiawan - A Historical Perspective
    • Published by: 曼绒古田会馆 Persatuan Kutien Daerah Manjung, Ayer Tawar, Perak, Malaysia, 2004
    • ISBN 983-41824-0-6 (in English)
• - Biograpical data on outstanding ethnic Chinese personalities - Examples:
  • Create Peace and Tranquility for Future Generations - Treatises presented at the International Symposium on Tan Cheng Lock's Thought
    • Editor: Ong Seng Huat (王琛发 Wang Chenfa)
    • Published by: MCA School of Political Studies, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2007
    • ISBN 978-983-99701-3-5
  • Lim Lian Geok - Soul of the Malaysia Chinese
    • Edited by Kua Kia Soong
    • Published by: LLG Cultural Development Centre Berhad, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia, 2010
    • ISBN 978-983-41441-3-5 (in English)
• - History and activities of ethnic Chinese institutions - Examples:
  • Chen Tsung Yuan 陈琮渊: Study of United Chinese Association Sibu Division Sarawak (1977 - 1997)
    • Published by: Sarawak Chinese Cultural Association, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia, 2005
    • ISBN 983-9360-39-6
  • Brief History of the Chinese Associations in Kuching and Samarahan Divisions
    • Published by: The Federation of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Chinese Associations, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. No year of publication given.
• Essays on political and social affairs - Examples:
  • Sin Chew Daily „Communication Platform“ 1 - Behind the News
    • Chief Editor: Liu Jianquan 刘鉴铨
    • Published by: Sin Chew Daily, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
    • First edition: November 2004; second edition: December 2004
    • ISBN 983-41438-8-5
  • Dr. Liu Huacai 刘华才博士: The blue sea of politics and economy
    • Published by: e Publication Sdn. Bhd., Seri Kembangan , Selangor, Malaysia, 2012
    • ISBN 978-967-111-670-8
• Literary works - Examples:
  • Selected works of Hainan literature friends from Thailand - Volume 14 (May 2013); Vol. 17 (August 2016)
    • Published by: 泰国海南文友联谊会 Taiguo Hainan Wenyou Lianyihui
    • (Association of Hainan Literature Friends from Thailand), no place given (most likely Bangkok)
• Fine Arts - Examples:
  • Singapore Chinese Clan Associations First National Art Exhibition
    • No publisher mentioned; front cover carries the logo of Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA)
    • Singapore 1995
  • Singapore Futsing Association Book Series (1)
    • Mountain Flowers in Full Bloom - Collection of Art Works by Fuqing Fellow Countrymen
    • Published by: Singapore Futsing Association,2006

Some institutions (relatively wealthy ones) have their own magazine, mostly 210 x 290 mm. The best-known one of them might be 源 YUAN, the bimonthly magazine of Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), the umbrella organisation of Singapore‘s tongxianghui and zongqinhui.

This is how YUAN magazine is introduced on SFCCA‘s website:

http://www.sfcca.sg/en/node/111

Another magazine issued by SFCCA is 华汇 Huahui; English name: Oneness. The first number of this quarterly publication came out in September 2012. (Up to now, my collection does not include any copies of „Oneness“.)

See here:

http://www.sfcca.sg/en/node/1463

Magazines – likewise richly adorned with lots of photographs – are published among others by Char Yong (Dabu) Association Singapore (茶阳之声 Chayang zhi sheng Char Yong‘s Voice), Singapore Futsing Association (狮城融情 Shicheng Rongqing Futsing News; formerly 融情 Rong Qing), Singapore Hainan Hwee Kuan (泉 QUAN; formerly 新加坡海南会馆会讯 Xinjiapo Hainan Huiguan Huixun Singapore Hainan Hwee Kuan Bulletin) and other institutions – among them also Chinese Chambers of Commerce and schools – in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Quite a number of tongxianghui and zongqinhui publish bulletins or newsletters (会讯 huixun). In general, these publications are of the same size as the above-mentioned magazines, but contain fewer pages. The contents usually cover the association‘s activities since the appearance of the last huixun. (It must be said that those newsletters do not always come out regularly – it may happen that a year or more has passed until a new number finally sees the light of the day.)

The size of most huixun is 210 x 290 mm; however there are some that come in large newspaper size (examples: 欢乐广东 会讯 Huanle Guangdong Huixun - Happy Guangdong; Bulletin of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association, 漳泉之声 Zhangquan zhi sheng

The Voice of Zhangquan; Bulletin of Chiang Chuan Association, Sibu).

Booklets containing the names, addresses, telephone numbers and in some cases photographs of the organisation‘s leading functionaries or even of all members are issued by a number of institutions. (As stated above, similar lists can be found also in many jinian tekan.)

Folders – though limited in content – may provide additional information on some institutions which do not possess or did not provide other kind of material. This collection contains a number of folders which were obtained from schools, temples and cultural institutions. Some of them carry texts in Chinese and English, some only in English (or – in the case of several schools in Malaysia and Thailand – in Malay respectively Thai).

The catalogue comprises six files. The files „West Malaysia“, „East Malaysia“, „Thailand“ and „Various“ are arranged according to the place where the publishing institution has its seat:

• - Singapore 新加坡
• - Kuala Lumpur 吉隆坡
• - West Malaysia 西马来西亚
  • Johor 柔佛
    • Johor Bahru 新山
    • Skudai 士姑來
    • Kluang 居銮
    • Batu Pahat 峇株巴辖
    • Muar 麻坡 / 蔴坡
    • Segamat 昔加末
    • Mersing 丰盛港
  • Melaka (Malacca) 马六甲
  • Negeri Sembilan 森美兰
    • Seremban 芙蓉
    • Port Dickson 波德申
  • Selangor 雪兰莪
    • Seri Kembangan 史里肯邦安 / 沙登
    • Kajang 加影
    • Petaling Jaya 八打灵再也
  • Pahang 彭亨
    • Kuantan 关丹
    • Bentong 文冬
  • Terengganu 登嘉楼 / 丁加奴
  • Kuala Terengganu 瓜拉登嘉楼 / 瓜拉丁加奴
  • Kelantan 吉兰丹
    • Kota Bharu 哥打峇鲁
  • Perak 霹靂 / 吡叻
    • Ipoh 怡保
    • Taiping 太平
    • Kampar 金宝
    • Teluk Intan (former name: Teluk Anson) 安顺
    • Ayer Tawar 爱大华
  • Penang 槟城
  • Kedah 吉打
    • Alor Setar 亚罗士打
• - East Malaysia 东马来西亚
  • Sarawak 砂拉越 / 砂朥越 / 砂勞越
    • Kuching 古晋
    • Sarikei 泗里街
    • Sibu 诗巫
    • Miri 美里
  • Sabah 沙巴
    • Kota Kinabalu 亚庇 （哥打基納巴盧 / 哥打京那峇鲁）
    • Tuaran 斗亚兰
    • Sandakan 山打根
    • Lahad Datu 拿笃
    • Tawau 斗湖
• - Thailand 泰国
  • Bangkok กรุงเทพมหานคร 曼谷
  • Nonthaburi นนทบุรี 暖武里
  • Ratchaburi ราชบุรี 叻丕
  • Nakhon Sawan นครสวรรค์ 北欖坡
  • Phitsanulok พิษณุโลก 彭世
  • Sukhothai สุโขทัย 素可泰
  • Nakhon Ratchasima นครราชสีมา 呵叻
  • Khon Kaen ขอนแก่น 坤敬
  • Udon Thani อุดรธานี 乌隆 (乌隆他尼)
  • Ubon Ratchathani อุบลราชธานี 烏汶
• - Various 其它
  • Republic of China (Taiwan) 中华民国（台湾）
  • Hong Kong 香港
  • People‘s Republic of China 中华人民共和国
    • Minqing, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 福建省福州市闽清县
  • Laos 老挝 / 寮国
    • Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ 万象 / 永珍
    • Pakse ປາກເຊ 百細
  • Brunei 汶萊
    • Bandar Seri Begawan 斯里巴加湾
    • Kuala Belait 马来奕
  • Indonesia 印度尼西亚
    • Surabaya 泗水
  • Canada 加拿大
    • Calgary 卡尔加里 / 卡城
    • Vancouver 温哥华
  • United States of America 美国
    • Los Angeles 洛杉矶
  • Brazil 巴西
    • São Paulo 圣保罗
  • Netherlands 荷兰
    • Amstelveen 阿姆斯特尔芬
    • Amsterdam 阿姆斯特丹
    • Rhoon

English titles on the front cover / front page of many publications are indicated in normal type. When there is no English version of the title, the translation from Chinese to English is made by me. In this case, the English name of the publication comes in italics.

The photographs show the front cover and – whenever it seemed worth the effort – also the back cover of the publication. They do not always reflect the actual size of the object, which means that a small-size booklet - for example the Handbook 2011-2013 of the Federation of Hainan Association (sic – should read „Associations“) Malaysia - appears just as big as the large-size huixun of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tong Association or the Bulletin of Chiang Chuan Association, Sibu.

The technical realisation of this project was carried out by my son Peter Bartels, who also took the photographs and created the website „engkong.org“. Thank you so much, Peter!

I also express my gratitude to Mrs. Tanawan Knüpling (Pao), who typed the Thai titles of several publications from Thailand.

Last but definitely not least, I should like to convey my most cordial thanks to all the friendly ladies and gentlemen who generously provided me with precious material from their respective institutions – not only books, brochures, magazines and folders, but also DVDs, CDs, pins, badges and other souvenirs. You can be assured that each single item has found a worthy place in my collection!

As I intend to collect more printed material on this subject in the future, this catalogue may not yet be considered as a final product. I rather hope that the forthcoming years will give me lots of opportunities to visit South East Asia or other regions of the world where descendants of Chinese immigrants can be found.

Bremen, autumn 2017

Werner Bartels

Footnotes: